Variable condenser



Sept. 16 v, 1924. 1,508,647

J. w. CORNEL IUS VARIABLE CONDENSER Filed Sept. 18. 1923 0 J W wlwelzkzs,

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Patented Sept. 1.6, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOHN W. CORNELIUS, OF KINGMAN, ARIZONA.

VARIABLE CONDENSER.

Application filed September 18, 1923. Serial No. 663,364.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. CORNELIUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kingman, in the county of Mohave and State of Arizona, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Variable Gondensers, of which the following is a speci- This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in variable condensers, particularly useful as a wave selector for radio apparatus. s

The primary object of the invention is to generally simplify and improve devices of the above kind whereby the same may meet with all of the requirements for a successful commercial use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a variable condenser characterized by the fact that all of the plates thereof are fixed and assembled in such manner that they will not warp or readily short circuit.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a variable condenser which, in operation. provides for only placing such plates in circuit as are actually in use, and wherein the (ii-electric spacing for the condenser plates is constant.

Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a substantially central transverse sectional view of a variable condenser constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially upon line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the removable plate contacting core.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the preferred form of the invention embodies a suitable base 5 of relatively thick di-electric material upon which are centrally arranged a pile of plates, alternate ones of which as indicated at 6 are of conducting material, and the remaining ones of which as indicated at 7 are of di-electric material, said plates being suitably rigidly secured in contiguous relation and to the base plate 5 such as by means of bolts 8 extending corresponding parts through the corners of the plates and surrounded by .di-electric sleeves 9 that also extend through the corners of the plates. By mean of this construction the plates are all fixed so that a compact and rigid construction is had wherein danger of the plates warping is eliminated.

The plates 6 and 7 are all provided with central openings which register with each other to provide a passage in which is slidably mounted a contact carrying core 10 formed of suitable di-electric material and reduced at opposite sides. Suitably fastened-upon the reduced opposite sides of the core 10 are contact plates 11 shaped to conform with the free edges of inwardly extending projections 12 provided on the con ducting plates 6, which projections extend into the passage through the plates mentioned above. As shown clearly in Figure 1, alternate ones of the conducting plates have the projections 12 extending inwardly at opposite sides of the core 10 so that said conducting plates are divided into a series of plus and minus or positive and negative plates.

The core 10 may threaded stem as at. 18 onto which may be threaded a suitable handle or knob, not shown, by means of which the core may be readily slid longitudinally in the passage through the plates, and the contact plates 11 of the core may be constructed as generally indicated at 14t for respective connection with the positive and negative wires ofthe radio apparatus.

As the plates 11 engage alternate ones of the projections 12, it will be readily -apparent that by adjusting the position of .the core 10, the capacity of the condenser may be conveniently regulated. In other words, alternate ones of the conducting plates 6 have projections 12 extending inwardly at one side of the core 10 so as to have their inner edges engage one of the contact plates 11 of said core, while the remaining ones of said plates 6 have their projections or tongues 12 extending toward the opposite side of the core 10 so that their inner edges engage the other contact plate 11 of the core. Thus, in operation, the current will flow from one contact plate 11 through the plates 6 which have tongues 12 engaged therewith, and then the current will pass through the adjacent di-electric material to the other plates 6 which have tongues 12 in be provided with a r engagementwith-the other contact plate 11.

The, capacity forwhich the condenser is adjusted therefore depends upon the number of plates having their tongues 12 engaged with the contacts 11.

It will thus be seenthat I have provided a simple and durableform of variable condenser having all of the advantages and 1 features enumerated above and constituting a desirable article of manufacture capable of meeting with all of the requirements for a successful commercial use.

Mlnor'changes may be made without ,de

I parting from the spirit and scope of the 15 Y invention as claimed.

, What I claim as newfis 1-, r

1. In a variablecondenser, a pile of fixed plates, alternate ones of said plates being of conducting material, the remaining of said plates being of di-electric material, all of said plates being provided with central openings that register for providing a passage through thepile of plates, said conduct-ing plates having projections extending into said passage, the projections of alternate ones of said conducting plates extending from one 4 side of the passage, and the projections of the remaining platesextending from the other side thereof, a core longitudinally movable in the passage and having contact plates upon the sides thereof respectively engageable with the. inner edges ofthe projections of alternate ones-of the conducting plates, and means to facilitate adjustment of the core within said passage.

2. In a variable condenser, a pile of fixed 7 plates of conducting material separated by plates of di-electric material, all 'of said plates being provided with openings forming a passage, a di-electric core movable in said passage and having electrically sepa- U plates,alternate ones of said plates being of rated contacts, and, means upon the conducting, plates, for placing the core carried contacts in electrical connection with alternate' ones of said conducting plates, re

sp c v l f 4 3. In .a variable condenser, a pile of di-electric material, the remaining ones of said platesbeing of conducting material,

said plates having registering openings forming a passage therethrough, a core of di-electric material slidable in said passage and having electrically separated contact plates upon opposite sides thereof, in-

wardly extending projections upon alter-- arated contact plates upon opposite sides, thereof, inwardly extending projections upon alternate ones of the conducting plates enga-geable with. oneof said contact plates, inwardly. extending projections upon the remaining ones of said conductingplates for 'making'contact with the other of said contact plates, and means for facilitating connection of conductor wires to said contact plates. V I

. 5. A variable condenser comprising a base plate having a pile of plates rigidly mounted thereon in contiguous'relation, alternate ones of said plates being of di-electric material, said plates having apassage therethrough, a core slidable in said passage, a.

pair of electrically insulated contact plates on said core, and means upon the conducting plates for respectively electrically connecting alternate ones thereof with the respective contact plates of the core upon predetermined adjustment of the'latter.

ture.

I11 testimony whereof I aiiix my signal I JOHN w. CORNELIUS, 

